How does hydration affect BIA results?

Hydration significantly affects bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) results because it influences the body's electrical conductivity. When the body is well-hydrated, water content increases in the tissues, making the impedance lower and generally resulting in a lower percentage of body fat calculated by the BIA. Conversely, dehydration can lead to a higher impedance and an artificially inflated body fat percentage. Therefore, hydration levels play a crucial role in determining the accuracy of body fat measurements using BIA, making it essential to maintain consistent hydration status when conducting these assessments. This interplay between hydration and body composition readings underscores the importance of considering hydration as a variable when interpreting BIA results.